Popular genealogy class returns to Arenac County

STERLING — The Friends of the Mary Johnston Memorial Library (MJML) are welcoming genealogist Ceil Wendt Jensen to Sterling Elementary on Sept. 19 for a class in tracing family roots online.

“Last fall she spoke to a large crowd in Standish, giving them an overview of how to begin studying your family tree,” said Friends of MJML member Karen Weishuhn. “She will spend the morning sharing online resources for the Great Lakes Region. … Her afternoon session will continue with the step-by-step process of making a family blog and continuing family genealogy research.”

Jensen says if the Standish session last year has any implications for the Sept. 19 class, there will be a full house.

“I think we’re going to fill it up,” Jensen said. “We’re going to be in the (computer lab). I’m going to take them through different ways to use the Internet.”

According to Jensen, classes like the one last year in Standish and the upcoming one in Sterling have many of the same topics and questions from class participants.

“Most of the people were trying to find the documents that came from Europe,” Jensen said. “Sometimes I think people are looking for a royal connection or a grand connection.

“Even if we can’t put a crown on somebody we can say you’re grandparents were witness to this event,” she added. “We like to have a little spice in our life, and doing genealogy can add that spice to your life.”

Jensen, who said she first got involved with genealogy as a class assignment, says family tree tracing is the second most popular hobby in the United States after gardening.

The Sterling Elementary class is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and seats are limited. To register, or for more information, call the Mary Johnston Memorial Library, 989-846-6611, during library hours.